Image processing device, object selection method and program

ABSTRACT

There is provided an image processing device including: a data storage unit that stores object identification data for identifying an object operable by a user and feature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object; an environment map storage unit that stores an environment map representing a position of one or more objects existing in a real space and generated based on an input image obtained by imaging the real space using an imaging device and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one object recognized as being operable based on the object identification data, out of the objects included in the environment map stored in the environment map storage unit, as a candidate object being a possible operation target by a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/052,335 (filed on Feb. 24, 2016), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/657,431 (filed on Mar. 13, 2015, andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,288,423 on Mar. 15, 2016), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/190,321 (filed onFeb. 26, 2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,014,431 on Apr. 21, 2015),which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/014,785(filed on Aug. 30, 2013, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,744,130 on Jun.3, 2014), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/670,750 (filed on Nov. 7, 2012, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,199on Oct. 1, 2013), which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/983,424 (filed on Jan. 3, 2011, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,345,925 on Jan. 1, 2013), which claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2010-004170 (filed on Jan. 12, 2010), which are allhereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing device, an objectselection method and a program.

Description of the Related Art

The number of electronic devices which users should operate at home oroffice is increasing year by year. Further, the functions of oneelectronic device are becoming increasingly diversified. Accordingly, aburden on a user who operates such electronic devices is gettingheavier. In light of this, techniques for enabling the operation of aplurality of electronic devices with use of one remote control devicehave been developed. However, in order to achieve integration of remotecontrol functions into one device, it is required to provide a means ofidentifying which device a user intends to operate when there are aplurality of remotely operable devices to be controlled in theenvironment where the user is located.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-345024proposes a remote control device that recognizes a remote control targetdevice and details of control from a speech of a user by employingspeech recognition technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in the recognition of a remote control target device anddetails of control from a speech, recognition process becomescomplicated when there are a plurality of same type devices, especiallyin distinguishing between them. For example, when television sets arelocated both in a living room and a room next to the living room, anintended television set cannot be specified appropriately unless amodifier is added, such as “the smaller” TV or TV “in the living room”.Further, when a word that specifies a target device could not berecognized, there is a possibility that another device (anothertelevision or a device of another type) is turned off despite that auser intended to turn off one television.

Further, although a remote control target device and the like could berecognized from a gesture of a user, for example, it is difficult todistinguish between a plurality of devices that are located at positionswhich are lined up along the user's line of sight (or that are locatedin close proximity to each other) only with a gesture.

In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide novel and improvedimage processing device, object selection method and program capable ofdistinguishing between a plurality of electronic devices and easilyselecting one as a target of remote control.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan image processing device including: a data storage unit that storesobject identification data for identifying an object operable by a userand feature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object; anenvironment map storage unit that stores an environment map representinga position of one or more objects existing in a real space and generatedbased on an input image obtained by imaging the real space using animaging device and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; anda selecting unit that selects at least one object recognized as beingoperable based on the object identification data, out of the objectsincluded in the environment map stored in the environment map storageunit, as a candidate object being a possible operation target by a user.

The image processing device may further include an image output unitthat generates an output image for allowing a user to recognize aposition on a screen of the candidate object selected by the selectingunit from the input image and outputs the generated output image to adisplay device.

The environment map storage unit may further store imaging position dataindicating a position of the imaging device determined based on theinput image and the feature data, and a position of each candidateobject in the output image is calculated based on the environment mapand the imaging position data stored in the environment map storageunit.

The image processing device may further include a user interface forallowing a user to specify an object to be operated, out of candidateobjects.

The user interface may determine an object located at a center or nearthe center of the output image at a time when user input is detected,out of candidate objects, as the object to be operated.

When a plurality of candidate objects are located at the center of theoutput image when user input is detected, the user interface maydetermine the candidate object with a smallest size in the output image,out of candidate objects, as the object to be operated.

The feature data may include shape data indicating a three-dimensionalshape of each object, and the image output unit may generate the outputimage by generating a frame surrounding each candidate object on thescreen based on the shape data and superposing the generated frame onthe input image.

The image processing device may further include: the imaging device andthe display device, and an imaging plane of the imaging device and ascreen of the display device are arranged to face opposite directionsfrom each other.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an image processing method in an image processing deviceincluding a data storage unit that stores object identification data foridentifying an object operable by a user and feature data indicating afeature of appearance of each object, the method including steps of:generating an environment map representing a position of one or moreobjects existing in a real space based on an input image obtained byimaging the real space using an imaging device and the feature datastored in the data storage unit; and selecting at least one objectrecognized as being operable based on the object identification data,out of the objects included in the generated environment map, as acandidate object being a possible operation target by a user.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program for causing a computer for controlling an imageprocessing device including a data storage unit that stores objectidentification data for identifying an object operable by a user andfeature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object tofunction as: an environment map generating unit that generates anenvironment map representing a position of one or more objects existingin a real space based on an input image obtained by imaging the realspace using an imaging device and the feature data stored in the datastorage unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one objectrecognized as being operable based on the object identification data,out of the objects included in the environment map generated by theenvironment map generating unit, as a candidate object being a possibleoperation target by a user.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, itis possible to provide an image processing device, an object selectionmethod and a program capable of distinguishing between a plurality ofelectronic devices and easily selecting one as a target of remotecontrol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an overview of an imageprocessing device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofan image processing device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailedconfiguration of an environment map generating unit according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of aself-position detection process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating a feature point seton an object;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating addition of a featurepoint;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating an example of aprediction model;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating an example of aconfiguration of feature data;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of an objectrecognition process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating an example of aconfiguration of object identification data;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a devicerecognition process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a candidateobject selection process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of an outputimage generated by an image output unit according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an illustrative diagram illustrating another example of anoutput image generated by an image output unit according to anembodiment;

FIG. 15 is an illustrative diagram illustrating yet another example ofan output image generated by an image output unit according to anembodiment;

FIG. 16 is an illustrative diagram illustrating still another example ofan output image generated by an image output unit according to anembodiment;

FIG. 17 is an illustrative diagram illustrating still another example ofan output image generated by an image output unit according to anembodiment;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative diagram illustrating still another example ofan output image generated by an image output unit according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of a general-purpose computer; and

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofan image processing device according to an alternative example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

The “detailed description of the embodiment(s)” is described in afollowing order.

1. Overview of Image Processing Device According to Embodiment

2. Exemplary Configuration of Image Processing Device According toEmbodiment

-   -   2-1. Imaging Unit    -   2-2. Environment Map Generating Unit    -   2-3. Environment Map Storage Unit    -   2-4. Data Storage Unit    -   2-5. Device Recognizing Unit    -   2-6. Selecting Unit    -   2-7. Image Output unit    -   2-8. User Interface    -   2-9. Transmitting Unit

3. Hardware Configuration

4. Summary

5. Alternative Example

1. Overview of Image Processing Device According to Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an overview of an imageprocessing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 1 where a user having an imageprocessing device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is present.

Referring to FIG. 1, there are a plurality of objects including objects10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e and 10 f inside the environment 1. Theobject 10 a is a television, the object 10 b is a speaker, the object 10c is a DVD player, the object 10 d is a printer, the object 10 e is amobile information terminal, and the object 10 f is a table. Of thoseobjects, the objects 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10 d, for example, arecontrolled devices that can be controlled remotely. On the other hand,the objects 10 e and 10 f, for example, are objects that cannot becontrolled remotely.

The image processing device 100 images the environment 1 by using animaging device and thereby obtains a series of input images. Then, theimage processing device 100 executes image processing according to anembodiment, which is described later, on the obtained input images andthen displays an image output as a result of the image processing on ascreen of the image processing device 100. The output image is an imagethat allows a user to recognize positions of candidate objects which arecandidates for being operated by the user on the screen.

Further, the image processing device 100 preferably has a function as aremote control device as well. When the image processing device 100functions as a remote control device, a user can specify an object to beoperated based on the above-described output image displayed on thescreen.

Note that, although a mobile phone terminal is illustrated as an exampleof the image processing device 100 in FIG. 1, the image processingdevice 100 is not limited to such an example. For example, the imageprocessing device 100 may be an mobile phone terminal having an imagingdevice, a game terminal, a digital video camera or an electronic deviceof another type. Further, the image processing device 100 may be a robothaving a camera as a vision and the like, for example. An example of aconfiguration of the image processing device 100 is described in furtherdetail in the following sections.

2. Exemplary Configuration of Image Processing Device According toEmbodiment

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofthe image processing device 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the image processing device 100 includes an imagingunit 102, an environment map generating unit 110, an environment mapstorage unit 120, a data storage unit 130, a device recognizing unit140, a selecting unit 160, an image output unit 170, a user interface180, and a transmitting unit 190.

[2-1. Imaging Unit]

The imaging unit 102 may be realized as an imaging device having animaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementarymetal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), for example. The imaging unit 102outputs an image generated by imaging the real space such as theenvironment 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 to the environment map generatingunit 110, the device recognizing unit 140 and the image output unit 170as the input image.

[2-2. Environment Map Generating Unit]

The environment map generating unit 110 generates an environment map,which represents positions of one or more objects present in the realspace and the like based on the input image input from the imaging unit102 and feature data of an object to be described later stored in thedata storage unit 130.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailedconfiguration of an environment map generating unit according to anembodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the environment map generating unit 110includes a self-position detecting unit 112, an image recognizing unit114, and a building unit 116.

(1) Self-Position Detecting Unit

The self-position detecting unit 112 dynamically detects a position ofthe imaging device, which takes the input image, based on the inputimage input from the imaging unit 102 and the feature data stored in thedata storage unit 130. For example, also in a case in which the imagingdevice has a monocular camera, the self-position detecting unit 112 maydynamically determine a position and posture of the camera and aposition of a feature point on an imaging plane of the camera for eachframe by applying the SLAM technology disclosed in “Real-TimeSimultaneous Localization and Mapping with a Single Camera” (Andrew J.Davison, Proceedings of the 9th IEEE International Conference onComputer Vision Volume 2, 2003, pp. 1403-1410).

First, entire flow of a self-position detection process by theself-position detecting unit 112 to which the SLAM technology is appliedis described with reference to FIG. 4. Next, the self-position detectionprocess is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of theself-position detection process by the self-position detecting unit 112to which the SLAM technology is applied. In FIG. 4, when theself-position detection process starts, the self-position detecting unit112 first initializes a state variable (step S102). In this embodiment,the state variable is a vector including the position and the posture(rotation angle) of the camera, a moving speed and an angular speed ofthe camera and the position of one or more feature points as an element.The self-position detecting unit 112 then sequentially obtains the inputimage from the imaging unit 102 (step S112). The processes from the step112 to the step S118 may be repeated for each input image (that is, eachframe).

At the step S114, the self-position detecting unit 112 tracks featurepoints present in the input image. For example, the self-positiondetecting unit 112 detects a patch (small image of 3×3=9 pixels around afeature point, for example) of each feature point stored in advance inthe data storage unit 130 from the input image. The position of thepatch herein detected, that is, the position of the feature point isused later when updating the state variable.

At the step S116, the self-position detecting unit 112 generates apredicted value of the state variable of next frame, for example, basedon a predetermined prediction model. Also, at the step S118, theself-position detecting unit 112 updates the state variable using thepredicted value of the state variable generated at the step S116 and anobserved value according to the position of the feature point detectedat the step S114. The self-position detecting unit 112 executes theprocesses at the steps S116 and S118 based on a principle of an extendedKalman filter.

As a result of such process, a value of the state variable updated foreach frame is output. Configuration of each process of tracking of thefeature point (step S114), prediction of the state variable (step S116)and updating of the state variable (step S118) are hereinafter describedmore specifically.

(1-1) Tracking of Feature Point

In this embodiment, the data storage unit 130 stores in advance thefeature data indicating features of objects corresponding to physicalobjects which may be present in the real space. The feature dataincludes small images, that is, the patches regarding one or morefeature points, each representing the feature of appearance of eachobject, for example. The patch may be the small image composed of 3×3=9pixels around the feature point, for example.

FIG. 5 illustrates two examples of the objects and an example of featurepoints (FPs) and patches set on each object. The object in the left sideof FIG. 5 is the object representing a television (refer to FIG. 5a ). Aplurality of feature points including a feature point FP1 are set on theobject. Further, a patch Pth1 is defined in relation to the featurepoint FP1. Meanwhile, the object in the right side of FIG. is the objectrepresenting a round table (refer to FIG. 5b ). A plurality of featurepoints including a feature point FP2 are set on the object. Further, apatch Pth2 is defined in relation to the feature point FP2.

Upon obtaining an input image from the imaging unit 102, theself-position detecting unit 112 matches partial images included in theinput image against the patch for each feature point illustrated in FIG.5 stored in advance in the data storage unit 130. The self-positiondetecting unit 112 then specifies a position of each feature pointincluded in the input image (a position of a center pixel of thedetected patch, for example) as a result of the matching.

It should be noted that, for tracking feature points (step S114 in FIG.4), it is not necessary to store data regarding all of the featurepoints to be tracked in the data storage unit 130 in advance. Forexample, three feature points are detected in the input image at timeT=t−1 in an example illustrated in FIG. 6 (refer to FIG. 6a ). Next,when the position or the posture of the camera changes at time T=t, onlyone of the three feature points present in the input image at the timeT=t−1 is present in the input image. In this case, the self-positiondetecting unit 112 may newly set feature points at positions where acharacteristic pixel pattern of the input image is present and use thenew feature points in the self-position detection process for asubsequent frame. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6,five new feature points are set on the object at the time T=t (refer toFIG. 6b ). This is a feature of the SLAM technology, and according tothis, a cost of setting all of the feature points in advance may bereduced and accuracy of the process may be improved using the increasednumber of feature points.

(1-2) Prediction of State Variable

In this embodiment, the self-position detecting unit 112 uses a statevariable X expressed in the following equation as the state variable tobe applied for the extended Kalman filter.

$\begin{matrix}\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \rbrack & \; \\{X = \begin{pmatrix}x \\\omega \\\overset{.}{x} \\\overset{.}{\omega} \\p_{1} \\\vdots \\p_{N}\end{pmatrix}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

The first element of the state variable X in the equation (1) representsa three-dimensional position of the camera in a global coordinate system(x, y, z) being a coordinate system set in the real space, as expressedin a following equation.

$\begin{matrix}\lbrack {{Equation}{\mspace{11mu}\;}2} \rbrack & \; \\{x = \begin{pmatrix}x_{c} \\y_{c} \\z_{c}\end{pmatrix}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

Also, the second element of the state variable is a four-dimensionalvector co having a quaternion as an element corresponding to a rotationmatrix representing the posture of the camera. Note that, the posture ofthe camera may be represented using an Euler angle in place of thequaternion. Also, the third and the fourth elements of the statevariable represent the moving speed and the angular speed of the camera,respectively.

Further, the fifth and subsequent elements of the state variablerepresent a three-dimensional position p_(i) of a feature point FP_(i)(i=1 . . . N) in the global coordinate system as expressed in afollowing equation. Note that, as described above, the number N of thefeature points may change during the process.

$\begin{matrix}\lbrack {{Equation}{\mspace{11mu}\;}3} \rbrack & \; \\{p_{i} = \begin{pmatrix}x_{i} \\y_{i} \\z_{i}\end{pmatrix}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

The self-position detecting unit 112 generates the predicted value ofthe state variable for a latest frame based on the value of the statevariable X initialized at the step S102 or the value of the statevariable X updated in a previous frame. The predicted value of the statevariable is generated according to a state equation of the extendedKalman filter according to multidimensional normal distribution as shownin the following equation.[Equation 4]predicted state variable {circumflex over (X)}=F(X,a)+w  (4)

Herein, F represents the prediction model regarding state transition ofa system and “a” represents a prediction condition. Also, w representsGaussian noise and may include a model approximation error, anobservation error and the like, for example. In general, an average ofthe Gaussian noise w is 0.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating an example of theprediction model according to this embodiment. With reference to FIG. 7,two prediction conditions in the prediction model according to thisembodiment are illustrated. First, as a first condition, suppose thatthe three-dimensional position of the feature point in the globalcoordinate system does not change. That is, provided that thethree-dimensional position of the feature point FP1 at the time T isp_(T), the following relationship is satisfied.[Equation 5]p _(t) =p _(t−1)  (5)

Next, as a second condition, suppose that motion of the camera isuniform motion. That is, a following relationship is satisfied for thespeed and the angular speed of the camera from the time T=t−1 to thetime T=t.[Equation 6]{dot over (x)} _(t) ={dot over (x)} _(t−1)  (6){dot over (w)} _(t) ={dot over (w)} _(t−1)  (7)

The self-position detecting unit 112 generates the predicted value ofthe state variable for the latest frame based on such prediction modeland the state equation expressed in the equation (4).

(1-3) Updating of State Variable

The self-position detecting unit 112 then evaluates an error betweenobservation information predicted from the predicted value of the statevariable and actual observation information obtained as a result offeature point tracking, using an observation equation, for example. Notethat, v in the equation (8) is the error.[Equation 7]observation information s=H({circumflex over (X)})+v  (8)predicted observation information ŝ=H({circumflex over (X)})  (9)

Herein, H represents an observation model. For example, a position ofthe feature point FP_(i) on the imaging plane (u-v plane) is defined asexpressed in a following equation.

$\begin{matrix}\lbrack {{Equation}{\mspace{11mu}\;}8} \rbrack & \; \\{{{position}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{FP}_{i}\mspace{14mu}{on}\mspace{14mu}{imaging}\mspace{14mu}{plane}\mspace{14mu}{\overset{\sim}{p}}_{i}} = \begin{pmatrix}u_{i} \\v_{i} \\1\end{pmatrix}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

Herein, all of the position of the camera x, the posture of the camera ωand the three-dimensional position p_(i) of the feature point FP_(i) aregiven as the elements of the state variable X. Then, the position of thefeature point FP_(i) on the imaging plane is derived using a followingequation according to a pinhole model.[Equation 9]λ{tilde over (p)} _(i) =AR _(ω)(p _(i) −x)  (11)

Herein, λ represents a parameter for normalization, A represents acamera internal parameter, R_(ω) represents the rotation matrixcorresponding to the quaternion ω representing the posture of the cameraincluded in the state variable X. The camera internal parameter A isgiven in advance as expressed in the following equation according tocharacteristics of the imaging device, which takes the input image.

$\begin{matrix}\lbrack {{Equation}{\mspace{11mu}\;}10} \rbrack & \; \\{A = \begin{pmatrix}{{- f} \cdot k_{u}} & {{f \cdot k_{u} \cdot \cot}\;\theta} & u_{O} \\0 & {- \frac{f \cdot k_{v}}{\sin\;\theta}} & v_{O} \\0 & 0 & 1\end{pmatrix}} & (12)\end{matrix}$

Herein, f represents focal distance, θ represents orthogonality of animage axis (ideal value is 90 degrees), k_(u) represents a scale along alongitudinal axis of the imaging plane (rate of change of scale from theglobal coordinate system to the coordinate system of the imaging plane),k_(v) represents a scale along an abscissa axis of the imaging plane,and (u_(o), v_(o)) represents a center position of the imaging plane.

Therefore, a feasible latest state variable X may be obtained bysearching the state variable X, which makes the error between thepredicted observation information derived using the equation (11), thatis, the position of each feature point on the imaging plane and theresult of feature point tracking at the step S114 in FIG. 4 minimum.[Equation 11]latest state variable X←{circumflex over (X)}+Innov(s−ŝ)  (13)

The self-position detecting unit 112 outputs the position x and theposture ω of the camera (imaging device) dynamically updated by applyingthe SLAM technology in this manner to the building unit 116 and thedevice recognizing unit 140.

(2) Image Recognizing Unit

The image recognizing unit 114 specifies correspondences betweenphysical objects present in the input image and data objects using theabove-described feature data stored in the data storage unit 130. Thefeature data stored in the data storage unit 130 is described firstly.

(2-1) Feature Data

FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating an example of aconfiguration of feature data. Referring to FIG. 8, feature data FD1about an object 10 g as an example of the object is illustrated. Thefeature data FD1 includes an object identifier (ID) FD11, image dataFD12 taken from six directions, patch data FD13, three-dimensional shapedata FD14 and ontology data FD15.

The object identifier FD11 is a character string for uniquelyidentifying the object 10 g. In the example of FIG. 8, the objectidentifier FD11 is “TV00”.

The image data FD12 includes six image data obtained by taking images ofthe corresponding object from six directions (front, back, left, right,above and below), for example. The patch data FD13 is a set of smallimages around each feature point for each of one or more feature pointsset on each object. The image data FD12 and the patch data FD13 may beused for an object recognition process by the image recognizing unit 114to be described later. Also, the patch data FD13 may be used for theabove-described self-position detection process by the self-positiondetecting unit 112.

The three-dimensional shape data FD14 includes polygon information forrecognizing a shape of the corresponding object and three-dimensionalpositional information of feature points. The three-dimensional shapedata FD14 may be used for an environment map build process by thebuilding unit 116 and an output image generation process by the imageoutput unit 170 to be described later.

The ontology data FD15 is the data, which may be used to assist theenvironment map build process by the building unit 116, for example. Inan example illustrated in FIG. 8, the ontology data FD15 indicates thatthe object 10 g, which is the television, is likely to come in contactwith an object corresponding to a television stand or a floor and isunlikely to come in contact with an object corresponding to a bookshelf.

(2-2) Object Recognition Process

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of flow of the objectrecognition process by the image recognizing unit 114. Referring to FIG.9, the image recognizing unit 114 first obtains the input image from theimaging unit 102 (step S212). Next, the image recognizing unit 114matches partial images included in the input image against patches ofone or more feature points of each object included in the feature datato extract feature points included in the input image (step S214). Itshould be noted that the feature points used in the object recognitionprocess by the image recognizing unit 114 and the feature points used inthe self-position detection process by the self-position detecting unit112 are not necessarily the same. However, when common feature pointsare used in the both processes, the image recognizing unit 114 may reusethe result of feature point tracking by the self-position detecting unit112.

Next, the image recognizing unit 114 specifies the object present in theinput image based on an extraction result of the feature point (stepS216). For example, when the feature points belonging to one object areextracted with high density in a certain area, the image recognizingunit 114 may recognize that the object is present in the area. The imagerecognizing unit 114 then outputs the object identifier of the specifiedobject and the position of the feature point belonging to the object onthe imaging plane to the building unit 116 (step S218).

(3) Environment Map Building Unit

The building unit 116 generates the environment map using the positionand the posture of the camera input from the self-position detectingunit 112, the positions of the feature points on the imaging plane inputfrom the image recognizing unit 114 and the feature data stored in thedata storage unit 130. In this specification, the environment map is aset of data indicating positions (and postures) of one or more objectspresent in the real space. The environment map may include objectidentifiers corresponding to objects, the three-dimensional positions offeature points belonging to the objects and the polygon informationconfiguring shapes of the objects, for example. The environment map maybe built by obtaining the three-dimensional position of each featurepoint according to the above-described pinhole model from the positionof the feature point on the imaging plane input from the imagerecognizing unit 114, for example.

By deforming the relation equation of the pinhole model expressed in theequation (11), the three-dimensional position p_(i) of the feature pointFP_(i) in the global coordinate system may be obtained by a followingequation.

$\begin{matrix}\lbrack {{Equation}{\mspace{11mu}\;}12} \rbrack & \; \\{p_{i} = {{x + {\lambda \cdot R_{\omega}^{T} \cdot A^{- 1} \cdot {\overset{\sim}{p}}_{i}}} = {x + {{d \cdot R_{\omega}^{T}}\frac{A^{- 1} \cdot {\overset{\sim}{p}}_{i}}{{A^{- 1} \cdot {\overset{\sim}{p}}_{i}}}}}}} & (14)\end{matrix}$

Herein, d represents distance between the camera and each feature pointin the global coordinate system. The building unit 116 may calculatesuch distance d based on the positions of at least four feature pointson the imaging plane and the distance between the feature points foreach object. The distance between the feature points is stored inadvance in the data storage unit 130 as the three-dimensional shape dataFD14 included in the feature data illustrated with reference to FIG. 8.It should be noted that, a calculation process of the distance d in theequation (14) is disclosed in detail in the above-described JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-304268.

After the distance d is calculated, remaining variables of a right sideof the equation (14) are the position and the posture of the camerainput from the self-position detecting unit 112 and the position of thefeature point on the imaging plane input from the image recognizing unit114, and all of which are known. The building unit 116 then calculatesthe three-dimensional position in the global coordinate system for eachfeature point input from the image recognizing unit 114 according to theequation (14). The building unit 116 then builds a latest environmentmap according to the three-dimensional position of each calculatedfeature point and outputs the built environment map to the environmentmap storage unit 120. It should be noted that, at that time, thebuilding unit 116 may improve accuracy of the data of the environmentmap using the ontology data FD15 included in the feature dataillustrated with reference to FIG. 8.

[2-3. Environment Map Storage Unit]

The environment map storage unit 120 stores the above-describedenvironment map built by the building unit 116 of the environment mapgenerating unit 110 using a storage medium such as a hard disk or asemiconductor memory. Further, the environment map storage unit 120stores imaging position data including the position and the posture ofthe camera detected by the self-position detecting unit 112 of theenvironment map generating unit 110. It should be noted that theenvironment map storage unit 120 may be implemented using physically thesame storage medium as the data storage unit 130 to be described next.

[2-4. Data Storage Unit]

The data storage unit 130 stores in advance the feature data indicatingfeatures of objects corresponding to physical objects which may bepresent in the real space using a storage medium such as a hard disk ora semiconductor memory as described above. Further, the data storageunit 130 stores in advance object identification data for identifying anobject which is operable by a user, out of the physical objects whichmay be present in the real space. The object identification data is usedin a device recognition process by the device recognizing unit 140 to bedescribed later.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative diagram for illustrating an example of aconfiguration of object identification data. Referring to FIG. 10, theobject identification data includes six data items: object identifier(ID), classification, model, object image, operable flag, and commandlist.

The object identifier is a character string for uniquely identifyingeach object corresponding to an individual physical object in the realspace. The object identification data and the feature data illustratedwith reference to FIG. 8 can be associated using such object identifier.In FIG. 10, the object identification data is illustrated for each ofsix objects with the object ID=“TV01”, “SP01”, “DV01”, “PT01”, “PD01”and “TB01”.

The classification indicates the type of each object. The types of theobjects “TV01”, “SP01”, “DV01”, “PT01”, “PD01” and “TB01” are atelevision, a speaker, a DVD player, a printer, a PDA and a table,respectively. Further, the model indicates a model number of anindividual physical object in the real space.

The object image is an image used for a device recognition process bythe device recognizing unit 140 to be described later. The object imagemay be an image obtained by imaging an individual physical object in thereal space from at least one direction. Further, the object image may bea part of the image data included in the feature data illustrated withreference to FIG. 8, for example.

The operable flag is a flag for identifying whether an individualphysical object in the real space is operable by a user. When theoperable flag=“Yes”, the physical object is operable. Further, when theoperable flag=“No”, the physical object is not operable. In the exampleof FIG. 10, the operable flag of the objects “TV01”, “SP01”, “DV01” and“PT01” is “Yes”. Thus, those objects are operable. On the other hand,the operable flag of the objects “PD01” and “TB01” is “No”. Thus, thoseobjects are not operable.

The command list is a list of control commands for operating an objectfor each of the operable objects. For example, in the command list ofthe object “TV01”, the control commands of six types: “power on”, “poweroff”, “volume up”, “volume down”, “channel up” and “channel down” areincluded.

[2-5. Device Recognizing Unit]

The device recognizing unit 140 matches each object image included inthe above-described object identification data against the input imageinput from the imaging unit 102 to thereby recognize an operable objectpresent in the input image. Then, when the operable object exists, thedevice recognizing unit 140 calculates a three-dimensional position ofeach operable object in the environment map 120 according to theequation (14) using a position of each operable object in the inputimage and the position and the posture of the camera input from theself-position detecting unit 112. Further, the device recognizing unit140 registers the newly recognized operable object in the environmentmap based on the calculated three-dimensional position.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of a flow ofa device recognition process by the device recognizing unit 140.Referring to FIG. 11, the device recognizing unit 140 first obtains aninput image from the imaging unit 102 (step S302). Next, the devicerecognizing unit 140 matches each object image included in the objectidentification data against the input image to thereby recognize anoperable object present in the input image (step S304). The object imageused for the matching may be the object image of a record with theoperable flag of “Yes” out of the object images included in the objectidentification data. Next, the device recognizing unit 140 determineswhether an operable object is recognized in the input image (step S306).When an operable object is not recognized in the input image, theprocess ends. On the other hand, when an operable object is recognizedin the input image, the device recognizing unit 140 calculates athree-dimensional position of each of the recognized operable object andregisters the newly recognized operable object in the environment mapbased on the three-dimensional position (step S308).

In this manner, a three-dimensional position in the environment map ofthe object recognized as being operable by the device recognizing unit140 is kept stored in the environment map storage unit 120.Specifically, the object once recognized as being operable can beaccurately identified in the environment map even when the object ishidden behind another object (that is, when occlusion occurs) due tomovement of the camera or when appearance varies due to change inimaging direction.

[2-6. Selecting Unit]

The selecting unit 160 selects at least one object recognized as beingoperable based on the object identification data, out of the objectsincluded in the environment map stored in the environment map storageunit 120, as a possible operation target by a user. The object selectedas the possible operation target by the selecting unit 160 is referredto as a candidate object in this specification.

The selecting unit 160 may select all the objects with the operable flagof “Yes” in the object identification data, out of the objects includedin the environment map, as the candidate objects, for example.Alternatively, when a plurality of operable objects are recognized inthe input image, the selecting unit 160 may select only certain objectsof a number not exceeding a preset threshold as the candidate objects,for example. The certain objects may be objects located at the center ornear the center of the screen, for example. The position of the operableobject on the screen may be calculated according to the equation (11)based on the environment map stored in the environment map storage unit120 and the position and the posture of the camera. It should be notedthat the operable object typically has a certain degree of size (an areaindicated by the number of pixels, for example) on the screen.Therefore, the selecting unit 160 can determine the distance from thecenter of the screen by assuming a geometric center of gravity positionof an operable object as a position of the operable object. Further,when a plurality of operable objects are located at the center of thescreen, the selecting unit 160 may select the object with the smallestsize on the screen as the candidate object, for example.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of a flow ofa selection process by the selecting unit 160. Referring to FIG. 12, theselecting unit 160 first converts three-dimensional coordinates of theobject with the operable flag of “Yes” in the object identificationdata, out of the objects included in the environment map, intotwo-dimensional coordinates on the imaging plane according to theequation (11) (step S402). For example, by converting three-dimensionalcoordinates of a vertex of a polygon composing a shape of an object intotwo-dimensional coordinates on the imaging plane, the size and thecenter of gravity of each object on the imaging plane can be calculated.Next, the selecting unit 160 determines whether the number of operableobjects projected on the imaging plane is greater than a presetthreshold according to the equation (11) (step S404). The presentthreshold may be one or plural, for example. When the number of operableobjects is not greater than the preset threshold, the process proceedsto step S412. On the other hand, when the number of operable objects isgreater than the preset threshold, the process proceeds to step S406.

In the step S406, the selecting unit 160 determines whether a pluralityof operable objects overlap at the center of the imaging plane (stepS406). For example, when another object exists on a straight lineextending from the position of the camera to the position of one object,a plurality of operable objects overlap on the imaging plane. When aplurality of operable objects overlap at the center of the imagingplane, the process proceeds to step S408. On the other hand, when aplurality of operable objects do not overlap at the center of theimaging plane, the process proceeds to step S410.

In the step S408, the selecting unit 160 selects the object with thesmaller size on the screen (the object with the smallest size when theabove-described threshold is 1), out of the plurality of operableobjects located at the center of the imaging plane, as the candidateobject (step S408). Further, in the step S410, the selecting unit 160selects the operable objects of a number corresponding to theabove-described threshold in ascending order of the distance from thecenter of the screen to the center of gravity of each object as thecandidate object (step S410). Furthermore, in the step S412, theselecting unit 160 selects the operable object projected on the imagingplane as the candidate object (step S412).

After that, the selecting unit 160 outputs shape data indicating atwo-dimensional shape (two-dimensional coordinates of a vertex of apolygon on the imaging plane and the like) of the selected candidateobject to the image output unit 170 in relation to the object ID (stepS414). Then, the selection process by the selecting unit 160 ends.

[2-7. Image Output Unit]

The image output unit 170 generates an output image for allowing a userto recognize the position on the screen of the candidate object selectedby the selecting unit 160 from the input image input from the imagingunit 102. The image output unit 170 then outputs the generated outputimage to a display device. Specifically, the image output unit 170generates the output image by generating a frame surrounding eachcandidate object on the screen based on two-dimensional shape data ofthe candidate object and superposing the generated frame on the inputimage, for example. Alternatively, the image output unit 170 may allow auser to recognize the position of the candidate object on the screen bydifferentiating tone, color shading and the like between an area on thescreen corresponding to each candidate object and another area in theoutput image, for example. Further, the image output unit 170 may allowa user to recognize the position of the candidate object on the screenby assigning a character string indicating the object's name and thelike to each candidate object, for example.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of an outputimage generated by the image output unit 170 according to theembodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, an output image Im11 generated fromthe input image obtained by imaging the environment 1 is illustrated. Inthe output image Im11, on four operable objects 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and 10d, a frame surrounding each object is placed. It should be noted that ashape of the frame may be a circle or a polygon other than a rectangle.In the example of FIG. 13, it can be understood that the four objectswith the operable flag of “Yes” in the object identification data, outof the objects included in the environment map, are all selected as thecandidate objects. By referring to such output image, a user can knowwhich object existing in the environment 1 can be operated using theimage processing device 100.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative diagram illustrating another example of anoutput image generated by the image output unit 170 according to theembodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, an output image Im12 generated fromthe input image obtained by imaging the environment 1 is illustrated. Inthe output image Im12, on the object 10 a located nearest the center ofthe screen, a frame surrounding the object is placed. Thus, in theexample of FIG. 14, it can be understood that only one object, out ofthe objects included in the environment map, is selected as thecandidate object. Further, an aiming symbol 12 indicating the center ofthe screen is also superposed on the output image Im12. With such outputimage, a user can easily specify an operation target by putting theaiming symbol 12 on a device intended to be set as an operation targetby moving the image processing device 100 (or the imaging unit 102).

FIG. 15 is an illustrative diagram illustrating yet another example ofan output image generated by the image output unit 170 according to theembodiment. Referring to FIG. 15, an output image Im13 generated fromthe input image obtained by imaging the environment 1 is illustrated. Inthe output image Im13, on the object 10 a located nearest the center ofthe screen, a frame surrounding the object is placed. Further, theaiming symbol 12 indicating the center of the screen is also superposedon the output image Im13. Furthermore, in the output image Im13, acommand field 14 displaying a control command (“power on” in the exampleof FIG. 14) for operating the object is placed on the object 10 a. Suchcontrol command is obtained from the command list included in the objectidentification data illustrated with reference to FIG. 10, for example.With such output image, a user can easily specify an operation target bymoving the image processing device 100 (or the imaging unit 102) andeasily select a control command to be transmitted to the operatingtarget.

FIG. 16 is an illustrative diagram illustrating still another example ofan output image generated by the image output unit 170 according to theembodiment. Referring to FIG. 16, a temporary image Im21 is illustratedon the left, and an output image Im22 is illustrated on the right.Operable objects 10 c and 10 d are present in the temporary image Im21.However, the object 10 c is partially hidden behind the object 10 d atthe center of the temporary image Im21. Thus, in this case, a pluralityof operable objects overlap at the center of the imaging plane. On theother hand, in the output image Im22, on the object 10 c with thesmaller size on the imaging plane, a frame indicating that it is thecandidate object is placed. With such output image, it is possible toprevent a small operable object which overlaps with another operableobject from being not selectable.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative diagram illustrating still another example ofan output image generated by the image output unit 170 according to theembodiment. Referring to FIG. 17, an output image Im31 is illustrated onthe left, and an output image Im32 is illustrated on the right. Anoperable object 10 b is present in the output image Im31. It isregistered that the object 10 b is operable in the environment map as aresult of recognition by the device recognizing unit 140. The outputimage Im32 is an output image that is generated later after the imageprocessing device 100 is moved inside the environment 1. In the outputimage Im32 also, the operable object 10 b is recognized as an operableobject and selected as the candidate object. In this manner, byselecting and displaying the candidate object based on the environmentmap representing a position of an object present in the real space, anoperation target can be selected flexibly even when appearance of theobject varies depending on the imaging position and imaging direction.

FIG. 18 is an illustrative diagram illustrating still another example ofan output image generated by the image output unit 170 according to theembodiment. Referring to FIG. 18, an output image Im41 is illustrated onthe left, and an output image Im42 is illustrated on the right. Anoperable object 10 d is present in the output image Im41. It isregistered that the object 10 d is operable in the environment map as aresult of recognition by the device recognizing unit 140. The outputimage Im42 is an output image that is generated later after the imageprocessing device 100 is moved inside the environment 1. In the outputimage Im42, the object 10 d is hidden behind the table and not visible.However, in the output image Im42 also, the object 10 d hidden behindthe table is selected as the candidate object. In this manner, byselecting the candidate object based on the environment map representinga position of an object present in the real space and displaying a framewhich can identify the object, even when the object is hidden behindanother object, the hidden object can be selected flexibly as theoperation target.

It should be noted that, when an operable object is not present, theimage output unit 170 may output the input image input from the imagingunit 102 as it is as an output image to a display device. Further, it ispreferred that a screen of a display device on which the output imagegenerated by the image output unit 170 is displayed and an imaging planeof an imaging device corresponding to the imaging unit 102 are arrangedto face opposite directions from each other (that is, with theirbacksides facing each other). This produces a see-through type display,thereby enabling a user to more easily specify an object to be operated,looking at the output image by holding up the image processing device100 in the environment 1.

[2-8. User Interface]

The user interface 180 provides an interface for allowing a user tospecify an object to be operated among the candidate objects. The userinterface 180 may be an optional input means capable of detecting userinput, such as a button, a touch panel, a switch or a keypad, forexample. When only one candidate object is displayed as in the outputimage Im12 of FIG. 14 or the output image Im22 of FIG. 16, for example,the candidate object displayed at the time when user input (pressing ofa button, for example) is detected may be determined as the object to beoperated. Further, when a plurality of candidate objects are displayedas in the output image Im11 of FIG. 13, for example, the object locatedat the center or near the center of the output image displayed at thetime when user input is detected may be determined as the object to beoperated. Furthermore, when a plurality of candidate objects are locatedat the center of the output image when user input is detected, the userinterface 180 may determine the candidate object with the smallest sizein the output image as the object to be operated, for example. Inaddition, the user interface 180 may include a graphical user interface(GUI). For example, the command field 14 in the output image Im13 inFIG. 15 is a type of the GUI. When a user selects a control commanddisplayed in the command field 14 on the screen, for example, thetransmitting unit 190 to be described next may transmit a control signalcontaining the control command to the operation target object on whichthe command field 14 is placed.

[2-9. Transmitting Unit]

The transmitting unit 190 generates a control signal containing thecontrol command to the operation target object determined based on userinput to the user interface 180 and transmits the generated controlsignal. The control signal may be transmitted as an infrared signal inconformity to Infrared Data Association (IrDA), for example.Alternatively, the control signal may be transmitted as a radio signalthrough a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), for example. Such controlsignal is received by the operation target object (controlled device),and an operation desired by a user is performed in the object.

3. Hardware Configuration

Note that, it does not matter whether a series of processes by theabove-described image processing device 100 are realized by hardware orsoftware. When a series of processes or a part of the same is executedby software, a program composing the software is executed using acomputer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a general-purposecomputer illustrated in FIG. 19, for example.

In FIG. 19, a central processing unit (CPU) 902 controls entireoperation of the general-purpose computer. A program or data in which apart of or an entire of the series of processes is described is storedin a read only memory (ROM) 904. The program and data used by the CPU902 when executing the process are temporarily stored in a random accessmemory (RAM) 906.

The CPU 902, the ROM 904 and the RAM 906 are connected to each otherthrough a bus 910. An input/output interface 912 is further connected tothe bus 910.

The input/output interface 912 is the interface to connect the CPU 902,the ROM 904 and the RAM 906, and an input device 920, a display device922, a storage device 924, an imaging device 926 and a transmittingdrive 930.

The input device 920 accepts user input through an input means such as abutton, a touch panel, a switch, or a keyboard, for example. The displaydevice 922 is composed of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystaldisplay, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and the like, forexample, and displays the output image on a screen thereof.

The storage device 924 is composed of a hard disk drive or asemiconductor memory, for example, and stores the program and the data.The imaging device 926 corresponds to the hardware of theabove-described imaging unit 102 and images the real space using theimaging element such as the CCD or the CMOS. The transmitting drive 930is composed of an infrared port conforming to the IrDA and the like, forexample, and modulates the control signal containing the control commandfor remotely controlling an electronic device into an infrared signaland the like and transmits the signal.

4. Summary

The image processing device 100 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention is described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19.According to the image processing device 100, at least one objectrecognized as being operable based on the object identification data,out of the objects included in the environment map representingpositions of one or more objects present in the real space, is selectedas the candidate object, which is a possible operation target by a user.Therefore, even when appearance of an object in the input image variesdue to movement of the imaging device or when an object to be operatedis hidden behind another object, it is possible to distinguish betweenthose objects and easily select one as a target of remote control.Further, intuitive selection of an operation target using a see-throughtype display is possible. Furthermore, it is possible to operate eachelectronic device using the single image processing device 100 withoutseparately providing displays for operation with respective electronicdevices or without preparing different dedicated remote control devices.

Further, the position and the posture of the imaging device used whengenerating the output image are detected dynamically by applying theSLAM technology. Therefore, even when the position and the posture ofthe imaging device vary from picture to picture, it is possible toappropriately generate the frame surrounding the candidate object to bedisplayed on the output image and the like according to the position andthe posture of the imaging device.

5. Alternative Example

Note that, as an alternative example of the above-described imageprocessing device 100, an image processing device which can operate as aremote control device without building the environment map may beconfigured. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of aconfiguration of an image processing device 200 according to suchalternative example. Referring to FIG. 20, the image processing device200 includes an imaging unit 102, a data storage unit 130, a devicerecognizing unit 240, a selecting unit 260, an image output unit 270, auser interface 180, and a transmitting unit 190.

The device recognizing unit 240 matches each object image included inthe object identification data stored in the data storage unit 130against the input image input from the imaging unit 102 to therebyrecognize an operable object present in the input image. Then, when theoperable object exists, the device recognizing unit 240 outputs aposition of each operable object in the input image (a position of apixel group corresponding to each object and the like), in relation tothe object ID, to the selecting unit 260 and the image output unit 270.

The selecting unit 260 selects at least one object recognized as beingoperable based on the object identification data by the devicerecognizing unit 240 as a candidate object. The selecting unit 260 mayselect all the objects with the operable flag of “Yes” in the objectidentification data as the candidate object, for example. Alternatively,when a plurality of operable objects are recognized in the input image,for example, the selecting unit 260 may select only certain objects of anumber not exceeding a preset threshold as the candidate objects. Thecertain objects may be objects located at the center or near the centerof the screen, for example. Further, when a plurality of operableobjects are located at the center of the screen, for example, theselecting unit 260 may select the object with the smallest size on thescreen as the candidate object. The selecting unit 260 outputs theobject ID of the selected candidate object to the image output unit 270.

The image output unit 270 generates an output image for allowing a userto recognize the position on the screen of the candidate object selectedby the selecting unit 260 from the input image input from the imagingunit 102. The image output unit 270 then outputs the generated outputimage to a display device. Specifically, the image output unit 270generates the output image by generating a frame surrounding eachcandidate object on the screen based on the position of the candidateobject input from the device recognizing unit 240 and superposing thegenerated frame on the input image, for example. A user can specify anoperation target through the user interface 180, looking at such outputimage.

It should be noted that, when an operable object is not present, theimage output unit 270, like the above-described image output unit 170,may output the input image input from the imaging unit 102 as it is asan output image to a display device. Further, it is preferred that ascreen of a display device on which the output image generated by theimage output unit 270 is displayed and an imaging plane of an imagingdevice corresponding to the imaging unit 102 are arranged to faceopposite directions from each other.

According to the image processing device 200, at least one object in theinput image recognized as being operable based on the objectidentification data is selected as the candidate object, which is apossible operation target by a user, and displayed in the output image.Therefore, a user can intuitively select an operation target. In thiscase also, it is possible to operate each electronic device using thesingle image processing device 200 without separately providing adisplay for operation to the electronic device or without preparing aseparate dedicated remote control device.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention are described indetail above with reference to the appended drawings, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. It should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various modifications, combinations,sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on designrequirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising:circuitry configured to acquire a position or posture information of animaging device, the position or posture information being determinedbased on at least two images of a real space captured by the imagingdevice and also based on a movement information of the imaging device,and initiate a displaying of information related to an electronic devicethat is within the real space, regardless of whether or not theelectronic device is captured within a current captured image of theimaging device.
 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the circuitry is further configured to initiate a displaying ofan output image that includes a candidate object and a marker associatedwith the candidate object.
 3. The image processing apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the marker comprises a frame that highlights thecandidate object.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim2, wherein the candidate object corresponds to the electronic devicethat is within the real space.
 5. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured toinitiate a displaying of a temporary image prior to a displaying of anoutput image, wherein the temporary image includes a plurality ofoperable objects, and the output image includes a candidate objectselected from the plurality of operable objects.
 6. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a see-throughdisplay upon which the information related to the electronic device isdisplayed.
 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the electronic device is selected by input received through auser interface.
 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the received input is a gaze input.
 9. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is furtherconfigured to initiate a displaying of a first output image thatincludes a candidate object that is recognized as an operable object.10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein whenthe imaging device is moved to a position that is captured within the atleast two images of the real space, the circuitry is further configuredto initiate a displaying of a second output image that includes thecandidate object recognized as an operable object.
 11. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second outputimage depicts the candidate object recognized as an operable object froma perspective that is different than that depicted by the first outputimage.
 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe information related to the electronic device within the real spacecontains multiple pieces of command information representingcorresponding control commands for operating the electronic device. 13.The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic device is selected from among a plurality of candidateobjects based on at least one of a feature of the candidate objects, asize of the candidate objects in the input image, a location of thecandidate objects, and command information specified by a user.
 14. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronicdevice is at least partially hidden in the at least two images of thereal space captured by the imaging device.
 15. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit thatstores positioning information of the real space.
 16. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the positioninginformation of the real space is a three-dimensional positioninginformation.
 17. An image processing method executed via at least oneprocessor, the method comprising: acquiring a position or postureinformation of an imaging device, the position or posture informationbeing determined based on at least two images of a real space capturedby the imaging device and also based on a movement information of theimaging device; and display information related to an electronic devicethat is within the real space, regardless of whether or not theelectronic device is captured within a current captured image of theimaging device.
 18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium havingembodied thereon a program, which when executed by a computer causes thecomputer to execute a method, the method comprising: acquiring aposition or posture information of an imaging device, the position orposture information being determined based on at least two images of areal space captured by the imaging device and also based on a movementinformation of the imaging device; and display information related to anelectronic device that is within the real space, regardless of whetheror not the electronic device is captured within a current captured imageof the imaging device.